Chapter23

"Need a hand?" Zhou You asked, not moving from his seat.

"No, I'd appreciate some privacy," came the reply.

"This is a medical vehicle, and I'm the medical assistant," Zhou You explained. "I treated all your wounds, even took off your trousers. I've seen everything there is to see. We're both men, what's there to be shy about? The vehicle's well-equipped too; close the door and you're out of sight."

Puzzled, Zhou You inquired, "How should I give you privacy?" The vehicle was tight on space, and Dr. Zhao was sound asleep.

The man pointed at the door and commanded, "Stand with your back towards me."

Zhou You gave him a thumbs-up, amused. It had been years since someone spoke to him in such a commanding tone. This man seemed accustomed to giving orders, but Zhou You wasn't one of his subordinates.

Seeing Zhou You's lack of reaction, the man locked eyes with him. His gaze was dominating, aggressive. Despite his apparent frailty, his eyes were as deep as abysses, and the aura he exuded seemed beyond his years.

Ultimately, Zhou You relented, "Alright, out of respect for the injured. The restroom's there, do what you must." With that, he opened the door and hopped off the moving vehicle.

Watching Zhou You effortlessly leap from the moving vehicle, Shao Qi began to reconsider his initial impression. Perhaps Zhou You was more than just a medical assistant.

Slowly sitting up, Shao Qi was only draped in a towel. He tightened it around his waist, trying to stand. He was well-aware of his injuries; the minor ones would heal in days, but the deep gashes on his back, caused by the talons of the Golden-winged Roc, required special treatment due to the venom.

Feeling weak, Shao Qi regretted sending Zhou You away. But having always been a dominant figure, he didn't want anyone to see him in such a vulnerable state. Each step he took was agonizing.

There was another figure on the vehicle. At first, Shao Qi thought it was a patient, but upon closer inspection, it was an older doctor. It seemed Zhou You's identity as a medical assistant was genuine.

Having taken care of his immediate needs, Shao Qi sat by the window, surveying the outside. He appeared to have been rescued by a group of refugees. Although they were numerous, their equipment was scanty and their ranks unimpressive. This group had zero chance of making it through the Yunlan Mountain Range.

His initial plan was to recover for a few days and then return; he had lost his Heart Stone. While it might not mean much to others, it was his life-saving talisman, holding all the vital energies he had harvested from the high-level mutant beasts.

However, seeing this group, he couldn't turn a blind eye. The Heart Stone could be retrieved later; the lives of these thousands couldn't be ignored. Once he safely escorted them out of the Yunlan Mountain Range, he could leave.

Li Hongxi noticed Zhou You running alongside the convoy after disembarking. At first, he worried Zhou You would fall behind, but Zhou You kept pace without missing a beat.

"Boss, this guy's stamina is impressive. No wonder he managed to escape from that elite figure," Wu Yong commented, chewing on some tough jerky.

"For a regular person, his physical prowess is quite commendable. With time, he could even advance to a martial warrior rank. If he had access to the augmentation elixirs from the Central Medicine Consortium, someone of his physique would definitely advance. But those elixirs are prohibitively expensive for the average person," Li Hongxi mused.

To his crew, Li Hongxi said, "On this journey, keep an eye out for potential recruits. Our team has suffered heavy losses and needs replenishment. Wu Yong previously recommended a few promising young talents. I thought they'd qualify once we reached Yang City, but they disappeared en route. Zhou You is worth observing."

Unbeknownst to him, Zhou You had unwittingly become a potential asset for the Dawn Exploration Team. After running a distance, he reasoned that the man should be done by now, so he returned to the vehicle to avoid drawing attention.

From his window seat, Shao Qi watched Zhou You sprinting towards the vehicle, climbing aboard swiftly and efficiently. Such dexterity and experience from just a medical assistant?

Zhou You poured a glass of water and drank, feeling the warmth from his recent exertion. Sweat rolled down his temples, carrying a layer of dust with it.

Noticing the distinct hue of Zhou You's skin, Shao Qi inquired, "Where are you from?"

Caught off-guard by the question, Zhou You turned and smiled, "Our group escaped from an island, heading to Yang City. How about you? Where are you from and where are you headed?"

"I am from Yangcheng."

"What a coincidence." Zhou You remained noncommittal, casually asking about some of Yangcheng's local regulations. Partly out of suspicion, and partly out of genuine curiosity. To his surprise, the other man answered with confidence, suggesting he had indeed lived in Yangcheng.

With a steady tone, Shao Qi said, "Yangcheng's population now exceeds one million. It's the largest and most important base in the central region. They welcome those who seek refuge from all over the country. You likely chose Yangcheng because of its strength."

Zhou You sat down opposite him and asked, "Do you think our team can safely reach Yangcheng?"

"Want the truth?"

"Of course."

Shao Qi shook his head. Zhou You's brow furrowed in disbelief, "On what basis do you assert that we can't? We've covered most of the journey. No matter how challenging, some of us should make it out alive."

"What's your casualty rate thus far?"

Remembering the initial group of over a hundred thousand, Zhou You's expression darkened, "What if someone went ahead to Yangcheng for reinforcements? With such a massive base, Yangcheng surely has garrisoned troops. Getting the military's assistance would be the safest."

"You don't understand who controls Yangcheng's troops. The power dynamics within the city are complex, with numerous factions and sects. The top commander, Lin Tingyu, is the strongest martial artist in the entire army. However, he has three wives from three major sects, making it difficult for him to command the entire force. His authority is mainly to maintain stability, and making significant decisions is challenging. If it weren't for his martial arts skills..." Shao Qi's eyes chilled, then he changed the subject, "Instead of seeking military help, you should consider going to the Jiangnan base. It's closer, the chief commander there is elected by the people and is very popular. But who will you send for help? And how can you be sure they'll reach the base safely? The back and forth could be deadly for your group many times over."